How to Install Games on Roku

A list of games isn’t very useful if you don’t know how to install them. You have two options:

Add Online — Navigate to channelstore.roku.com and browse by category or genre. Click Add Channel to install it on your device.

Add from Your Device — Go to Home > Streaming Channels > Games. Press OK on your remote when you find the title you’re interested in.

If you install a game from the online Channel Store, it can take up to 24 hours to show on your account. To speed up the process, go to Settings > System > System update > Check Now on your device. So, which games should you download?

Namco’s Galaga is one of the most famous games in arcade historyThe Evolution of Arcade GamesThe Evolution of Arcade GamesIf you're a fan of arcade games, this infograph takes you through the evolution of the much-loved past time.Read More. The premise is simple; shoot the hordes of aliens and other “nasties” as they dive bomb your spaceship and attempt to obliterate it. If you’re lucky enough to destroy a mothership, your own craft will get twice the firepower.

As you progress through the 250 levels, the game speed and the number of enemies you encounter multiplies.

Minesweeper

Why did Microsoft stop including Minesweeper on its operating system? It was the king of time-wasting in the office.

For those who don’t know, the objective is to clear a minefield grid without detonating any of the randomly placed (and hidden) mines.

Video Poker

Download this game to enjoy all the fun of poker without losing a cent. Video Poker offers five versions of the popular card game: Jacks or Better, Double Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild Poker, Joker Poker, and Double Joker Poker.

You start with a wallet of $100, with each hand costing $1.25. The controls are simple: use the OK button on your remote to keep cards, and use the Down arrow to deal a new hand.

To reiterate, the game does not use real money. It’s for entertainment purposes only.

Mazes

Prepare to be infuriated as you pick your way through a virtual labyrinth in Mazes.

The game creates randomly generated mazes, so you’ll never play the same puzzle twice. There are six difficulty levels. For added complexity, use the “Limited View” mode. You’ll only be able to see a small fraction of the maze around you.

It also includes a screensaver which will create and solve mazes while your device is on standby. You can watch it for hours, trust me.

You take the role of an adventurer. You aim is to progress through a series of regions and reach the Crown of Command. As you proceed, you’ll build up your character’s strength, wisdom, and wealth, all of which will come in useful as you encounter monsters, build your followers, and discover valuable treasure.

The Roku version comes with three types of gameplay: Marathon, Ultra, and Sprint. Purists can even apply the original 1984 skin.

You Don’t Know Jack

You Don’t Know Jack is a trivia game that’s perfect for all the family.

The game is based on a fictional TV game show. You go through ten rounds of multiple-choice questions, followed by a final “Jack Attack” round. Subject matter covers everything from wordplay to pop culture references.

Your goal is to earn as much virtual money as possible. Fast answers earn more, wrong answers are heavily penalized.

Downhill Bowling 2

Downhill Bowling 2 takes ten-pin bowling to a whole new level. The principle is to guide your bowling ball down a hill and knock over the pins. But it’s not as simple as that.

The hill is packed with obstacles, gems, coins, hazards, and other objects. All ten sets of pins are on one slope, with one set of pins equating to one frame. Curiously, you can also bounce and jump your ball. You’ll get thrown out of your local bowling alley if you try that in real life!

When you reach your tenth set of pins, the game ends. It adds your points and coins to a bank to calculate your total final score.

Pac-Man

We all know what Pac-Man entails. Eat dots and avoid ghosts, all while listening to a repetitive but strangely addictive soundtrack.

Dan is a British expat living in Mexico. He is currently the Social Editor for MakeUseOf. He was formerly the Creative Editor and Finance Editor. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant. He holds various certifications from the University of Leeds, the University of Cambridge, and the…